"The single most important protection a parent can take is to have an open dialog with their child about the benefits and risks of Internet use," said Colonel Peter C. Munoz, MSP Director.  "Since children are more likely to be trusting, naive and curious, diligent parental supervision can go a long way in ensuring their safety while online."

With school coming to a close, it is likely Internet activity will increase at home.  The MSP encourages parents to take the following precautions:

w        Place the home computer in a common area to allow for observation of the user's Internet activity.
w        Create rules for Internet use, including hours of use and which sites can and cannot be accessed.
w        Create a folder of "bookmarks" or "favorites" appropriate to your child's age that they can visit.
w        Teach your child to never give out personal information, such as home address, phone number, e-mail address, password, photograph, credit card number or school information.
w        Create a family e-mail address your child can use to send and receive messages.  Monitor the account regularly.
w        Know who your child is talking to online. Chat room acquaintances are strangers and children should never arrange to meet them face-to-face.
w        Teach your child the Internet is fun and educational when used appropriately, but some people don't use it that way.  Remind your child that people on the Internet may not be who they seem.

To help increase Internet safety awareness, the Michigan Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is sponsoring a series of billboards that will appear along Michigan freeways this summer.  The billboards direct parents to the Michigan ICAC Task Force Web site, www.michiganicac.com, for more information on Internet safety.